Sorry fans, while Brett Somers, Charles Nelson Reilly, and Richard Dawson are not participating, it is time for another edition of Match Game. The match this time is actually a re-match. It has been announced that Calvin Borel and Mine That Bird will be getting back together for the Kentucky Derby winner's next two starts.
Trainer Chip Woolley declared today that Borel will be riding Mine That Bird in the Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes on October 10 and the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic on November 7, both to be run at Santa Anita Park over the artificial surface. As a matter of fact, Borel was aboard Mine That Bird for a four-furlong workout this morning. It was a half-mile in 51.16 seconds over the main track at Saratoga.
Actually, Mine That Bird's next appearance will be at Ruidoso Downs on Labor Day. He will be leading the field onto the track for the All-American Futurity. Trainer Chip Woolley's home base of operations is the Land Of Enchantment, New Mexico.
Tune in tomorrow for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
The 140th Travers Stakes
The Grade 1 $1,000,000 Shadwell Travers Stakes or "The Summertime Derby" is Saturday at Saratoga. There are seven horses entered and try as I could, I just could not bring myself to go against #4 Quality Road. He has won four of five lifetime starts and was awesome in his last two wins, the Grade 2 Amsterdam at Saratoga and the Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream. The Todd Pletcher trainee is also a perfect three for three with John Velazquez aboard. Even if The Spa gets the expected rain on Saturday, Quality Road's Tomlinson figure is 403, so the wet won't be a problem. That was illustrated by his workout on Tuesday in the mud, five furlongs in 59.3 seconds.
I will select a longshot for the second spot, though. The 15-1 shot, #5 Our Edge, could just get the lead and be forwardly placed all the way. Alan Garcia was aboard for his seven-length win in the Grade 3 Barbaro at Delaware Park. He also won the Coronado's Quest at Monmouth in the slop on June 20. Trainer Nick Zito wouldn't have him here if he didn't think he could pull a surprise. Next comes Belmont Stakes winner, #6 Summer Bird, who ran a distant second to Rachel Alexandra in the sloppy Haskell at Monmouth on August 2. Kent Desormeaux now has a win and a second in two tries with the Birdstone offspring. If anyone goes out with Our Edge, the expected front-runner and prompts a VERY fast pace, Summer Bird could come rolling again as he seems comfortable doing. Finally, I will put #7 Kensei fourth based on his already beating both #2 Charitable Man and #3 Warrior's Reward in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga on August 1. So, here is the play for the 140th edition of the Travers Stakes:
$1 TRI 4 with 5-6-7 with ALL
TOTAL- $18
I didn't include a win wager on Quality Road because I think his price will be so low as to make it unnecessary. As always, They Are Off accepts no responsibility for any wagers made in connection with these suggestions. Tune in again on Monday for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
I will select a longshot for the second spot, though. The 15-1 shot, #5 Our Edge, could just get the lead and be forwardly placed all the way. Alan Garcia was aboard for his seven-length win in the Grade 3 Barbaro at Delaware Park. He also won the Coronado's Quest at Monmouth in the slop on June 20. Trainer Nick Zito wouldn't have him here if he didn't think he could pull a surprise. Next comes Belmont Stakes winner, #6 Summer Bird, who ran a distant second to Rachel Alexandra in the sloppy Haskell at Monmouth on August 2. Kent Desormeaux now has a win and a second in two tries with the Birdstone offspring. If anyone goes out with Our Edge, the expected front-runner and prompts a VERY fast pace, Summer Bird could come rolling again as he seems comfortable doing. Finally, I will put #7 Kensei fourth based on his already beating both #2 Charitable Man and #3 Warrior's Reward in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga on August 1. So, here is the play for the 140th edition of the Travers Stakes:
$1 TRI 4 with 5-6-7 with ALL
TOTAL- $18
I didn't include a win wager on Quality Road because I think his price will be so low as to make it unnecessary. As always, They Are Off accepts no responsibility for any wagers made in connection with these suggestions. Tune in again on Monday for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Rivalry's End
The greatest rivalry in the history of Thoroughbred racing is Affirmed and Alydar. Their Triple Crown battle is still the stuff of legend, something that anyone who witnesses it will never forget. Overall, the two horses met ten times on the racetrack, with Affirmed prevailing in seven of those races. The final time they went eye to eye, however, resulted in a very flat ending to the match.
Their final time on the track together came in the 1978 Travers Stakes at Saratoga. Their dominance was so great at this point that only two other horses (Nasty And Bold and Shake Shake Shake) even dared to show up and dispute the issue. They again finished one-two as they had so many times before, but this time there was a problem. Affirmed was being ridden by Laffit Pincay Jr. instead of his usual rider Steve Cauthen and Pincay had been taken wider than he wanted by one of the longshots. Jorge Velazquez was on Alydar and when he went for the vacant rail, Pincay and Affirmed interfered with Alydar. Affirmed did finish first, but was subsequently disqualified and placed second behind Alydar, who re-rallied after the incident and still ended up crossing the line second.
It was a disappointing ending to what had been a sizzling matchup between two of the best horses ever to take to the racetrack. We all know that Affirmed might have been the overall winner on the track and that Alydar was the overall winner off the track in the stud barn. It's just unfortunate that their swan song as competitors came from the stewards' stand and not the Winner's Circle.
Tune in tomorrow for a look at the 2009 renewal of the Travers. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
Photo courtesy of championsgallery.com
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Oh, By The Way
Saturday at Saratoga is Travers Day. The crowd will be unbelievable, the energy will be electric, it will be what every day at the racetrack is supposed to be. You have the Derby winner, the Belmont winner, the Jim Dandy winner, and the horse that missed out on it all with an injury that most likely will be the favorite on Saturday. In addition, the overriding story of the day might be the horse that won the Preakness and isn't there.
However, there will be more than one race on the card at Saratoga on Saturday. Don't forget that the Grade 1 $300,000 Ballerina will be on the program. This could be a fantastic extended sprint duel between Indian Blessing and Informed Decision. Informed Decision worked a blistering five furlongs in 58.09 seconds this morning for a bullet at the distance. Indian Blessing just happens to be the reigning Eclipse Award winner in her division.
This could be the best race of the day on Saturday, so don't just focus on the Travers, because it will be a great card nearly all the way around.
Tune in tomorrow for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone...GOODBYE!
However, there will be more than one race on the card at Saratoga on Saturday. Don't forget that the Grade 1 $300,000 Ballerina will be on the program. This could be a fantastic extended sprint duel between Indian Blessing and Informed Decision. Informed Decision worked a blistering five furlongs in 58.09 seconds this morning for a bullet at the distance. Indian Blessing just happens to be the reigning Eclipse Award winner in her division.
This could be the best race of the day on Saturday, so don't just focus on the Travers, because it will be a great card nearly all the way around.
Tune in tomorrow for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone...GOODBYE!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Woodward (but no Bernstein)
The connections of Rachel Alexandra have announced that they will point the fabulous filly toward the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes on September 5, as opposed to the Grade 1 Travers Stakes this coming weekend. She will now be facing older male horses in the Woodward, unlike the Travers, where should would only be facing three-year-old males.
Co-owner Jess Jackson says that he and the rest of the connections want to see the filly tested. I can agree with that, but think about who she might be facing in the Woodward. Bullsbay and Macho Again, the top two from the Grade 1 Whitney, Cool Coal Man, and last year's Belmont winner, Da'Tara, who has not exactly lit it up since the upset in the "Test Of Champions". Is that really a test? I know Macho Again defeated Einstein in the Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs, but that was more a product of a very poor ride by Julien Leparoux on Einstein than anything else. I know that a three-year-old filly going against older males is a big step, but that is not exactly a who's who of the Thoroughbred world.
As opposed to running in the Travers, where the filly would face the other two winners of the Triple Crown races this year, Mine That Bird and Summer Bird. Quality Road, who just might be the best three-year-old male horse in training right now, and Kensei. There is the horse that might be the rub in this whole situation. Kensei, who won the Grade 2 Jim Dandy earlier this meet at Saratoga, is owned by (SURPRISE!!!) the same connections that own Rachel Alexandra. I certainly cannot disagree with them for not wanting to run their top two prospects against each other, but I think that the way these two fields are shaping up against each other, the Travers just might be the tougher option.
Tune in tomorrow for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
Co-owner Jess Jackson says that he and the rest of the connections want to see the filly tested. I can agree with that, but think about who she might be facing in the Woodward. Bullsbay and Macho Again, the top two from the Grade 1 Whitney, Cool Coal Man, and last year's Belmont winner, Da'Tara, who has not exactly lit it up since the upset in the "Test Of Champions". Is that really a test? I know Macho Again defeated Einstein in the Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs, but that was more a product of a very poor ride by Julien Leparoux on Einstein than anything else. I know that a three-year-old filly going against older males is a big step, but that is not exactly a who's who of the Thoroughbred world.
As opposed to running in the Travers, where the filly would face the other two winners of the Triple Crown races this year, Mine That Bird and Summer Bird. Quality Road, who just might be the best three-year-old male horse in training right now, and Kensei. There is the horse that might be the rub in this whole situation. Kensei, who won the Grade 2 Jim Dandy earlier this meet at Saratoga, is owned by (SURPRISE!!!) the same connections that own Rachel Alexandra. I certainly cannot disagree with them for not wanting to run their top two prospects against each other, but I think that the way these two fields are shaping up against each other, the Travers just might be the tougher option.
Tune in tomorrow for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
Friday, August 21, 2009
The Grade 1 Alabama Stakes
Fillies take center stage at The Spa on Saturday with the 129th running of the Grade 1 $600,000 Alabama Stakes. Of course, the big filly currently at Saratoga (Rachel Alexandra) will not be participating, but it was good news to hear that TVG and Betfair have decided to pony up $400,000 to make the Grade 1 Beldame a $1,000,000 purse, provided both Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta show up to duke it out. However, I do digress, let's get back to the matter at hand which is the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes.
For the top pick, I understand this is not a turf race, however, Christophe Clement's #3 Funny Moon was a winner in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks on July 25 at Belmont over several of these same horses. Alan Garcia has the ride and while that does not enrapture me, he is the only rider this filly has ever known. #8 Milwaukee Appeal faced the boys in her last two Triple Crown starts in Canada, The Queen's Plate and The Prince Of Wales. She acquitted herself quite nicely too with a third and a second in those two races, respectively. This will be her first start in the United States. The predominant speed horse in the race is #5 Careless Jewel, who won the Grade 2 Delaware Oaks on July 18. Her last work over the polytrack at Woodbine on August 14 was a sizzler, going five furlongs in 1:00.3. If she gets to dictate the pace by herself, she could just steal things up front and go all the way. I do think, though, that she will receive some pressure from #6 Be Fair. For the final spot in the top four, I will go with the runner-up to the top pick in the Coaching Club American Oaks, #4 Don't Forget Gil. Her last few workouts have been speedy and I like the mix of speed and stamina in her lineage. Here is the play for the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes:
$5 WP #3 and $1 EX BOX 3-5-8 and $1 TRI BOX 3-5-8
TOTAL- $22
Remember, these are just suggestions and They Are Off accepts no responsibility for any wagers made in conjunction with these selections. Tune in again on Monday for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
For the top pick, I understand this is not a turf race, however, Christophe Clement's #3 Funny Moon was a winner in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks on July 25 at Belmont over several of these same horses. Alan Garcia has the ride and while that does not enrapture me, he is the only rider this filly has ever known. #8 Milwaukee Appeal faced the boys in her last two Triple Crown starts in Canada, The Queen's Plate and The Prince Of Wales. She acquitted herself quite nicely too with a third and a second in those two races, respectively. This will be her first start in the United States. The predominant speed horse in the race is #5 Careless Jewel, who won the Grade 2 Delaware Oaks on July 18. Her last work over the polytrack at Woodbine on August 14 was a sizzler, going five furlongs in 1:00.3. If she gets to dictate the pace by herself, she could just steal things up front and go all the way. I do think, though, that she will receive some pressure from #6 Be Fair. For the final spot in the top four, I will go with the runner-up to the top pick in the Coaching Club American Oaks, #4 Don't Forget Gil. Her last few workouts have been speedy and I like the mix of speed and stamina in her lineage. Here is the play for the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes:
$5 WP #3 and $1 EX BOX 3-5-8 and $1 TRI BOX 3-5-8
TOTAL- $22
Remember, these are just suggestions and They Are Off accepts no responsibility for any wagers made in conjunction with these selections. Tune in again on Monday for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Jockeys
The second season of "Jockeys" on the Animal Planet network will debut on Friday night. The featured riders this season include Garrett Gomez, Corey Nakatani, Mike Smith, and Joe Talamo among others. The second season's shows have been expanded to one hour and will deal mainly with the run-up to The Kentucky Derby. The majority of the first season dealt with the action heading up to the 2008 Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita.
I always take the words of my former colleague, Martha Claussen, to heart when I think about jockeys. She always claimed that jockeys were the most underrated athletes in all of sports. She certainly makes a good point. After all, it takes tremendous strength and skill to for a 100-pound human being to maintain control of a 1200-pound animal in any circumstance, much less travelling at around 40 miles per hour.
The plan to profile jockeys leading up to this year's Kentucky Derby is especially prescient. After all, does anybody think that Mine That Bird wins the Derby without that stunning rail ride by Calvin Borel? Mike Smith has done an excellent job filling Borel's shoes in two of the three races he has had since the Derby, but Borel was the star of the first Saturday in May.
"Jockeys" premieres at 10pm Eastern and Pacific Time on Friday.
Tune in tomorrow for a look at the Grade 1 Alabama this weekend at Saratoga. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
I always take the words of my former colleague, Martha Claussen, to heart when I think about jockeys. She always claimed that jockeys were the most underrated athletes in all of sports. She certainly makes a good point. After all, it takes tremendous strength and skill to for a 100-pound human being to maintain control of a 1200-pound animal in any circumstance, much less travelling at around 40 miles per hour.
The plan to profile jockeys leading up to this year's Kentucky Derby is especially prescient. After all, does anybody think that Mine That Bird wins the Derby without that stunning rail ride by Calvin Borel? Mike Smith has done an excellent job filling Borel's shoes in two of the three races he has had since the Derby, but Borel was the star of the first Saturday in May.
"Jockeys" premieres at 10pm Eastern and Pacific Time on Friday.
Tune in tomorrow for a look at the Grade 1 Alabama this weekend at Saratoga. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Overseas Overlord
Epsom Derby winner Sea The Stars was a winner again today in the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes at York. This horse is currently ranked #1 in the International Federation of Horse Racing Authority world rankings. He has now scored four straight Group 1 victories and six in a row.
His trainer, John Oxx, is reportedly pointing to the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes on September 5 for his next start. Will the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita on November 7 come into play for what is certainly the best horse in Europe and maybe the world right now? Oxx says that the Breeders' Cup will only come into play if weather interrupts his plans for Sea The Stars in Europe. Apparently, Sea The Stars does not like soft turf surfaces.
So, to quote Gene Kelly, "Come on with the rain, I've a smile on my face!" The American racing public should get to see the best of the best in the Breeders' Cup. After all, they are the WORLD Championships, right? I was at the 2002 Breeders' Cup at Arlington Park in Chicago and Rock Of Gibraltar was the star of stars that day. I still remember the roar that went up from the crowd when Tom Durkin called out, "The Rock is rolling!!" While he couldn't quite catch Domedriver (who had a significantly better trip that day), the rush of excitement that flowed through everyone's veins was palpable. It would be great to see Sea The Stars match up with the best turf horses in the world in the Turf or even the best of the best in the Classic. We are going to be denied seeing America's best horse (Rachel Alexandra) on Breeders' Cup day already, let's not be denied seeing Europe's best as well.
They Are Off will return on Thursday with more. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
His trainer, John Oxx, is reportedly pointing to the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes on September 5 for his next start. Will the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita on November 7 come into play for what is certainly the best horse in Europe and maybe the world right now? Oxx says that the Breeders' Cup will only come into play if weather interrupts his plans for Sea The Stars in Europe. Apparently, Sea The Stars does not like soft turf surfaces.
So, to quote Gene Kelly, "Come on with the rain, I've a smile on my face!" The American racing public should get to see the best of the best in the Breeders' Cup. After all, they are the WORLD Championships, right? I was at the 2002 Breeders' Cup at Arlington Park in Chicago and Rock Of Gibraltar was the star of stars that day. I still remember the roar that went up from the crowd when Tom Durkin called out, "The Rock is rolling!!" While he couldn't quite catch Domedriver (who had a significantly better trip that day), the rush of excitement that flowed through everyone's veins was palpable. It would be great to see Sea The Stars match up with the best turf horses in the world in the Turf or even the best of the best in the Classic. We are going to be denied seeing America's best horse (Rachel Alexandra) on Breeders' Cup day already, let's not be denied seeing Europe's best as well.
They Are Off will return on Thursday with more. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
Monday, August 17, 2009
What To Do With Mine That Bird?
The 2009 Kentucky Derby winner, Mine That Bird, worked out at Saratoga this morning in preparation for the Travers Stakes coming up in twelve days. The workout was, at best, sluggish. He went five furlongs in 1:03.83. It was revealed later in the day by his trainer, Chip Woolley, that the horse will undergo surgery for an entrapped epiglottis on Tuesday. The connections are still hopeful that Mine That Bird will be ready for the Travers Stakes at Saratoga.
Keep in mind that horses have surgery to relieve an entrapped epiglottis and go on to have incredibly successful racing careers. The most famous example might remain 1987 Derby and Preakness winner, Alysheba, who had the surgery prior to his Triple Crown campaign. I just hope that the connections are smart with Mine That Bird and keep in mind that he does not need to run in the Travers to validate his Derby win. He has already done that by running second in the Preakness and almost catching Superfilly Rachel Alexandra in the stretch and his third in the Belmont also was a very strong effort. I think the third in the West Virginia Derby was a throwout, honestly. The pace scenario and short field in that race made it almost impossible for him to be a winner that day.
So, if they don't run Mine That Bird in the Travers, where should the connections put him? May I suggest the Grade 2 $750,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs? It might be a more logical spot for Mine That Bird going forward anyway. The date of the race is September 19, which will give him plenty of time to be recovered from the Tuesday surgery without being rushed and will leave him seven weeks out from the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita on November 7. Seven weeks might be too much of a layoff for some folks, but coming off a surgery, no matter how routine, it might be smart to spread him out a little bit anyway.
By the way, the other contenders that worked for the Travers today were Rachel Alexandra (5 furlongs in 1:00.37), Warriors Reward (5 furlongs in 1:00.26), and Kensei (5 furlongs in 1:01.85).
Tune in tomorrow for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
Keep in mind that horses have surgery to relieve an entrapped epiglottis and go on to have incredibly successful racing careers. The most famous example might remain 1987 Derby and Preakness winner, Alysheba, who had the surgery prior to his Triple Crown campaign. I just hope that the connections are smart with Mine That Bird and keep in mind that he does not need to run in the Travers to validate his Derby win. He has already done that by running second in the Preakness and almost catching Superfilly Rachel Alexandra in the stretch and his third in the Belmont also was a very strong effort. I think the third in the West Virginia Derby was a throwout, honestly. The pace scenario and short field in that race made it almost impossible for him to be a winner that day.
So, if they don't run Mine That Bird in the Travers, where should the connections put him? May I suggest the Grade 2 $750,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs? It might be a more logical spot for Mine That Bird going forward anyway. The date of the race is September 19, which will give him plenty of time to be recovered from the Tuesday surgery without being rushed and will leave him seven weeks out from the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita on November 7. Seven weeks might be too much of a layoff for some folks, but coming off a surgery, no matter how routine, it might be smart to spread him out a little bit anyway.
By the way, the other contenders that worked for the Travers today were Rachel Alexandra (5 furlongs in 1:00.37), Warriors Reward (5 furlongs in 1:00.26), and Kensei (5 furlongs in 1:01.85).
Tune in tomorrow for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
Friday, August 14, 2009
The Grade 3 Longacres Mile
After the incredible hysteria that has surrounded the last two weekends in the Thoroughbred world, things kind of return to normal this weekend. There are a couple of graded stakes around the country and, in the interest of doing something different, They Are Off will take a look at Emerald Downs and the Grade 3 $300,000 Longacres Mile Handicap.
I will try to spring a minor upset in the Mile and take a horse with the local flavor in #12 Assessment. All six of his lifetime wins have come over the Emerald oval, including the Mount Rainier Handicap last time out on July 26. The works are impressive leading in with three bullets in the last four and I think his running style might allow him to get the jump on the deep closers because I expect him to be lying just a bit closer to the pace and his outside post should allow him a clean trip. #7 Awesome Gem will probably be an overwhelming favorite in the Longacres Mile and justifiably so. He just missed the in the Grade 1 Eddie Read at Del Mar last time out over the grass. However, his only win in the last eighteen months came in an Allowance race on turf at Hollywood Park two starts back on June 27. Russell Baze is in to ride the gelding on Sunday. #3 Kruger Park actually beat the top pick in two sprint races at Emerald back in May, but this is a longer race and Assessment defeated Kruger Park by almost four lengths at a mile in the Budweiser Emerald Handicap on June 21. The last workout for Kruger Park was a half-mile bullet on August 9. The Sire is 2001 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner, Johannesburg. I will wrap up the top four picks with #5 Autism Awareness. The winner of the 2008 El Camino Real Derby also won the Grade 3 Berkeley over the artificial surface at Golden Gate two back. He followed that up with a disappointing 13th and last place finish in the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup. He is another that could be coming at the leaders in the speedy ones fade at the end. Here is the play for the Grade 3 Longacres Mile:
$5 WP #12 and $1 EX BOX 3-5-7-12 and $1 TRI 7-12 with 7-12 with 3-5
TOTAL- $26
Keep in mind that They Are Off accepts no responsibility for any wagers placed in conjunction with these selections, they are merely suggestions. Tune in again on Monday for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
I will try to spring a minor upset in the Mile and take a horse with the local flavor in #12 Assessment. All six of his lifetime wins have come over the Emerald oval, including the Mount Rainier Handicap last time out on July 26. The works are impressive leading in with three bullets in the last four and I think his running style might allow him to get the jump on the deep closers because I expect him to be lying just a bit closer to the pace and his outside post should allow him a clean trip. #7 Awesome Gem will probably be an overwhelming favorite in the Longacres Mile and justifiably so. He just missed the in the Grade 1 Eddie Read at Del Mar last time out over the grass. However, his only win in the last eighteen months came in an Allowance race on turf at Hollywood Park two starts back on June 27. Russell Baze is in to ride the gelding on Sunday. #3 Kruger Park actually beat the top pick in two sprint races at Emerald back in May, but this is a longer race and Assessment defeated Kruger Park by almost four lengths at a mile in the Budweiser Emerald Handicap on June 21. The last workout for Kruger Park was a half-mile bullet on August 9. The Sire is 2001 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner, Johannesburg. I will wrap up the top four picks with #5 Autism Awareness. The winner of the 2008 El Camino Real Derby also won the Grade 3 Berkeley over the artificial surface at Golden Gate two back. He followed that up with a disappointing 13th and last place finish in the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup. He is another that could be coming at the leaders in the speedy ones fade at the end. Here is the play for the Grade 3 Longacres Mile:
$5 WP #12 and $1 EX BOX 3-5-7-12 and $1 TRI 7-12 with 7-12 with 3-5
TOTAL- $26
Keep in mind that They Are Off accepts no responsibility for any wagers placed in conjunction with these selections, they are merely suggestions. Tune in again on Monday for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Nellie Morse
The lovely ladies of horse racing in 2009, Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta, have sprung to mind some of the fine fillies that have preceded them. For this particular piece, I am going to get in the "way-back machine" and take a quick look at the last filly (before Rachel this May) to win the Preakness Stakes.
Nellie Morse re-entered the national racing consciousness this year after Rachel Alexandra duplicated her Preakness win 83 years later. Nellie Morse won the Preakness in 1926, become the fourth filly at that time to have scored a win in the Preakness. She had previously won the Pimlico Oaks (I believe that was a pre-cursor to the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes that Pimlico currently runs). Amazingly enough, she had failed to win the Kentucky Oaks before her Preakness score, ending up second following a disqualification. Among Nellie Morse's notable offspring was 1937 Champion Two-Year-Old Filly, Nellie Flag.
Nellie Morse continues to be honored today with the running of the Nellie Morse Stakes at Laurel.
Tune in tomorrow for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
Nellie Morse re-entered the national racing consciousness this year after Rachel Alexandra duplicated her Preakness win 83 years later. Nellie Morse won the Preakness in 1926, become the fourth filly at that time to have scored a win in the Preakness. She had previously won the Pimlico Oaks (I believe that was a pre-cursor to the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes that Pimlico currently runs). Amazingly enough, she had failed to win the Kentucky Oaks before her Preakness score, ending up second following a disqualification. Among Nellie Morse's notable offspring was 1937 Champion Two-Year-Old Filly, Nellie Flag.
Nellie Morse continues to be honored today with the running of the Nellie Morse Stakes at Laurel.
Tune in tomorrow for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Fair Grounds Fandango
I, for one, will looking forward to the Fair Grounds meeting this winter in New Orleans. The track announced some changes to their schedule today for the upcoming season, mostly concerning the jewel event of the calendar, the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby. The track is moving the date of the race later in the season, making it just five weeks out from the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby. They are also extending the distance of the race to 1 1/8 miles from the previous length of 1 1/16 miles and boosting the Derby purse to $750,000. The track will be including three other Grade 2 races (the Fair Grounds Oaks, the Mervyn Muniz Memorial, and the New Orleans Handicap) on the Louisiana Derby program as well. The dates for the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes and the Grade 3 Risen Star Stakes were also pushed back to continue them as natural preps for the Louisiana Derby.
On the other hand, the Fair Grounds is also introducing a new race to be held six weeks after the Breeders' Cup World Championships that might serve as a vehicle to match up Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta. If they were able to pull it off, great, but I think they might end up being like the rest of us and having to dream about what a matchup of the two titanettes would be like.
So, I say "Hurray!" for the Fair Grounds for making the moves with the Louisiana Derby. For the last few years, the Derby has not served as a Kentucky Derby prep, it has served as a prep for the Arkansas Derby, Blue Grass Stakes, or the Wood Memorial. By moving it, the Fair Grounds has made its big race relevant again. I know that Larry Jones tried the Louisiana Derby as a final prep for the Kentucky Derby for Friesan Fire and we all saw how that turned out. I think this is especially important because of the similarity of the Fair Grounds setup to the Churchill Downs setup. I believe these two tracks have the longest stretches of any mile tracks in the country. This move can only make sense for any trainer wanting to get ready for the running style he or she will need in Kentucky.
Tune in for more tomorrow from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
On the other hand, the Fair Grounds is also introducing a new race to be held six weeks after the Breeders' Cup World Championships that might serve as a vehicle to match up Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta. If they were able to pull it off, great, but I think they might end up being like the rest of us and having to dream about what a matchup of the two titanettes would be like.
So, I say "Hurray!" for the Fair Grounds for making the moves with the Louisiana Derby. For the last few years, the Derby has not served as a Kentucky Derby prep, it has served as a prep for the Arkansas Derby, Blue Grass Stakes, or the Wood Memorial. By moving it, the Fair Grounds has made its big race relevant again. I know that Larry Jones tried the Louisiana Derby as a final prep for the Kentucky Derby for Friesan Fire and we all saw how that turned out. I think this is especially important because of the similarity of the Fair Grounds setup to the Churchill Downs setup. I believe these two tracks have the longest stretches of any mile tracks in the country. This move can only make sense for any trainer wanting to get ready for the running style he or she will need in Kentucky.
Tune in for more tomorrow from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Race Call With Flay-vor
I have been a track announcer for over twelve years now and I have had good moments and bad moments behind the microphone, as anyone who speaks for a living will understand. Most public speakers, however, have a hard time grasping how hard calling a race accurately and correctly really is. Now, a professional announcer might make it seem smooth, but there is quite a bit that goes into it.
Celebrity chef Bobby Flay called the eighth race at Saratoga on Sunday. Flay called the race as part of the festivities for the Fasig-Tipton Festival of Racing, which leads up to the Saratoga Yearling Sale that started today. Flay apparently did a good enough job of calling the action, but NYRA track announcer Tom Durkin summed it up best with his quote, "Thank you, Bobby, and thank goodness you know how to cook a souffle." The result of the weekend will be an $11,000 charitable donation to equine charities by Fasig-Tipton and a $5,000 donation to the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund by NYRA. These donations will be made in the names of trainers and jockeys who earned points in a competition over the weekend.
Tune in tomorrow for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
Celebrity chef Bobby Flay called the eighth race at Saratoga on Sunday. Flay called the race as part of the festivities for the Fasig-Tipton Festival of Racing, which leads up to the Saratoga Yearling Sale that started today. Flay apparently did a good enough job of calling the action, but NYRA track announcer Tom Durkin summed it up best with his quote, "Thank you, Bobby, and thank goodness you know how to cook a souffle." The result of the weekend will be an $11,000 charitable donation to equine charities by Fasig-Tipton and a $5,000 donation to the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund by NYRA. These donations will be made in the names of trainers and jockeys who earned points in a competition over the weekend.
Tune in tomorrow for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
Friday, August 07, 2009
The Grade 1 Arlington Million
I think that the Arlington Million could play out one of two ways on Saturday afternoon. I think that either #2 Presious Passion goes out and steals the race on the lead or there will be a horse come rolling from the clouds to run him down. My preference is for the latter scenario and I will go with #6 Gio Ponti (yes, I know that I am going way out on the limb here).
First of all, I have stated previously on this blog that I tend to look at Christophe Clement anytime he is in a turf race. That rings especially true when he has the best horse in the field, by far. This colt has won three consecutive Grade 1 turf races, two of them coming with today's rider, Ramon Dominguez, at the controls. One of those was at the Arlington Million distance of 1 1/4 miles (The Manhattan Handicap at Belmont) and over the course of his thirteen-race career, there have not been too many clunkers for Gio Ponti.
For second, I will go with #2 Presious Passion. I think he will get the lead and while I don't think there will be too much speed out there with him, I think there might be enough that will challenge him to the point where he might not be able to hold off the charges of all the closers. I certainly don't think he will get twenty lengths in front, as he did in the Grade 1 United Nations at Monmouth. The lone A.P. Indy runner in the field is my third choice, #3 Just As Well. He scored a win last time out over the Arlington greenery in the Grade 3 Arlington Handicap. In fact, he is one of two horses in the Million to have a win on the Chicago turf, the other being Recapturetheglory. The European horse I think might get the top Euro honors in the Million is #4 Stotsfold. I know he finished behind Cima De Triomphe at Sandown two starts back, but he came back to win the Group 3 La Coupe at Longchamp in France. Here is the play for the Grade 1 Arlington Million on Saturday:
$5 WP #6 and $5 EX BOX #2+ #6
TOTAL- $20
Remember that They Are Off accepts no responsibility for any wagers made in conjunction with these selections. Tune in again on Monday for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
First of all, I have stated previously on this blog that I tend to look at Christophe Clement anytime he is in a turf race. That rings especially true when he has the best horse in the field, by far. This colt has won three consecutive Grade 1 turf races, two of them coming with today's rider, Ramon Dominguez, at the controls. One of those was at the Arlington Million distance of 1 1/4 miles (The Manhattan Handicap at Belmont) and over the course of his thirteen-race career, there have not been too many clunkers for Gio Ponti.
For second, I will go with #2 Presious Passion. I think he will get the lead and while I don't think there will be too much speed out there with him, I think there might be enough that will challenge him to the point where he might not be able to hold off the charges of all the closers. I certainly don't think he will get twenty lengths in front, as he did in the Grade 1 United Nations at Monmouth. The lone A.P. Indy runner in the field is my third choice, #3 Just As Well. He scored a win last time out over the Arlington greenery in the Grade 3 Arlington Handicap. In fact, he is one of two horses in the Million to have a win on the Chicago turf, the other being Recapturetheglory. The European horse I think might get the top Euro honors in the Million is #4 Stotsfold. I know he finished behind Cima De Triomphe at Sandown two starts back, but he came back to win the Group 3 La Coupe at Longchamp in France. Here is the play for the Grade 1 Arlington Million on Saturday:
$5 WP #6 and $5 EX BOX #2+ #6
TOTAL- $20
Remember that They Are Off accepts no responsibility for any wagers made in conjunction with these selections. Tune in again on Monday for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
Thursday, August 06, 2009
John Henry And The Million
It is kind of hard to believe that it has been 28 years since the inaugural Arlington Million in 1981. The idea was revolutionary at the time because no Thoroughbred race offered a million dollar purse anywhere. That's right, there was no Dubai, no racinos, no place offering such a staggering sum. As a matter of comparison, the Kentucky Derby of 1981 (won by Pleasant Colony) featured a purse of $413,450, not even half of the million dollars offered by Arlington.
This was also done at a time when network television still viewed thoroughbred racing as important programming. NBC came out for the 1981 Million and introduced some different camera angles and different aspects of horse racing coverage that were new then, but we take for granted now.
Of course, the star of the show in that first Million was all-time gelding, John Henry. However, it was not the easy time of it everyone expected it to be. John Henry fought all the way through the stretch with The Bart. This finish became instantly legendary and in fact, Arlington Park now has a statue (pictured) of the finish called Against All Odds. John Henry won by the scantest of margins, much to the chagrin of NBC, who listed the The Bart as the unofficial winner before the results were posted and made official.
The Arlington Million, obviously, does not hold the initial lofty perch it once did in the horse racing world as the lone million dollar race in the world. The Breeders' Cup came along three years later and offered a slew of million dollar races and now, the Triple Crown races all offer at the very least the magic million dollar number. However, the Arlington Million is still a very crucial part of the American (and international) turf racing scene every year.
Also, that first unforgettable finish is something that will be relived and replayed until the end of time. It was just that spectacular and it was a fitting beginning for what has become a staple of the summer.
Tune in tomorrow for a look at the 2009 Arlington Million from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
Photo courtesy of flickr.com
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Ready For Rachel
I have now had a full day to reflect on what we saw on Sunday in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational. Rachel Alexandra once again dominated the boys and won a Grade 1 race by a very significant margin. It would appear that her future plans definitely include the "Summertime Derby", the Grade 1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga, and do NOT include the Breeders' Cup, to be run on a synthetic surface at Santa Anita this fall.
Owner Jess Jackson reaffirmed his position that the horse will not run on the synthetics ever and, you know what, I applaud him for sticking to his guns. The Mosses can say all they want that they want to run against Rachel with Zenyatta, so if they do, GO GET HER!!! After all, the Howards took Seabiscuit all over the place trying to run against War Admiral and when they did, they beat him decisively. Don't say we want to run, but only on our terms. Right now, Rachel is holding all the cards in the poker game of greatness. I think that Zenyatta's connections have to go "all in" and go run against her on the East Coast on a real track surface.
As for that poker game of greatness, I think Rachel is approaching Doyle Brunson-like status. I cannot believe I am going to say this, but she just might be the greatest horse we have seen since Secretariat. I have been watching the sport, both casually and professionally, since the 1970s and I really think she is going to have an argument for that statement when she is finished. I do hope that if the connections don't go on to the Breeders' Cup, then they bring her back at four and run her one more season and complete what promises to be a legendary career in the 2010 Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs.
Tune in tomorrow for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
Photo courtesy of espn.com
Monday, August 03, 2009
Quincy Hamilton
They Are Off contributor Martha Claussen has a story on jockey Quincy Hamilton, who is one of the top jockeys in the Oklahoma and Texas colonies, in this month's edition of SureBet Racing News. Here is the link to read this month's issue:
http://www.surebetracingnews.com/
We also have some They Are Off news. They Are Off has joined the Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance. The widget for the Alliance will be placed on this blog sometime this week, so keep an eye out for that and you can check out some of the other great blogs dealing with the Sport Of Kings. Tune in again for tomorrow for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
http://www.surebetracingnews.com/
We also have some They Are Off news. They Are Off has joined the Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance. The widget for the Alliance will be placed on this blog sometime this week, so keep an eye out for that and you can check out some of the other great blogs dealing with the Sport Of Kings. Tune in again for tomorrow for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
